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05-16-09, 12:03 AM
Hi gang,
Well, I hope I stick with this...
I pulled my old bike off of the hooks in the garage for the first time since about 1994. Our daughter wants to go riding, and has seen it hanging there, and bugged me enough until I brought it down. I'm 55, and used to ride all the time, everywhere I went. Then I was trying to get in shape for a backpacking trip, so I walked everywhere. After the trip, I vegetated. For 15 years. I stepped on the scales last week, and weigh the most I ever have. Time to get back in shape and riding was always a fun way to keep fit.
When I last rode, my goal was to keep up with the fast boys and put in a lot of miles. Now my goal is to be comfortable, enjoy the ride, and explore new places at a leisurely pace. So I've spent the last few evenings looking at replacing the old skinny Panaracer tires with some fatter Schwalbe Marathon 700X32, and replacing the skinny Selle San Marco with a Brooks Champion Flyer or B-67. My priorities are obvious: taking care of my butt! :)
The bike: I was an old BOBster. I have a 1992 Bridgestone RB-T that's mostly stock. I bought the touring rather than the RB-1 or RB-2, as I was pulling a Burley trailer with our oldest daughter at the time. As noted, I replaced the old Avocet tires with the skinny Panaracers, and the saddle with the SSM. I also had the dealer swap Look clipless for the MKS (?) and toe clips, but at some later time I changed back to some basic cage platform pedal.
Proir to that I had a bizzare old Corsa that must have been made from an assortment of whatever parts were in the bottom of the builders bin. Components were not even the same brand, let alone group; some expensive, and some bargain parts. It even had all natural color Pirelli tires. Not just the sidewalls, but the tread, too. But it went thousands of miles without a hickup.
Other than the Marathons and Brooks saddle, about the only thing else I plan to change is possibly going to a Nitto Mustache bar, like I almost did when it was new (from the X0-1.) If I do, then I'll definitely go with the wider B-67.
The trick is going to be keeping at it. Seems all my hobbies are outdoor summer hobbies, and all conflict. I've got three scooters and an old MG for exactly the same sort of weather that I'd be biking. And a sailboat, but I haven't used it for even longer than the bike! What's the saying? Too many toys, and not enough time. I need to retire!
Well, that's about it. If you are in the area, and see a chubby dude on a dark green RB-T going about 7 MPH, toss me a beer! :D
Steve
Well, I hope I stick with this...
I pulled my old bike off of the hooks in the garage for the first time since about 1994. Our daughter wants to go riding, and has seen it hanging there, and bugged me enough until I brought it down. I'm 55, and used to ride all the time, everywhere I went. Then I was trying to get in shape for a backpacking trip, so I walked everywhere. After the trip, I vegetated. For 15 years. I stepped on the scales last week, and weigh the most I ever have. Time to get back in shape and riding was always a fun way to keep fit.
When I last rode, my goal was to keep up with the fast boys and put in a lot of miles. Now my goal is to be comfortable, enjoy the ride, and explore new places at a leisurely pace. So I've spent the last few evenings looking at replacing the old skinny Panaracer tires with some fatter Schwalbe Marathon 700X32, and replacing the skinny Selle San Marco with a Brooks Champion Flyer or B-67. My priorities are obvious: taking care of my butt! :)
The bike: I was an old BOBster. I have a 1992 Bridgestone RB-T that's mostly stock. I bought the touring rather than the RB-1 or RB-2, as I was pulling a Burley trailer with our oldest daughter at the time. As noted, I replaced the old Avocet tires with the skinny Panaracers, and the saddle with the SSM. I also had the dealer swap Look clipless for the MKS (?) and toe clips, but at some later time I changed back to some basic cage platform pedal.
Proir to that I had a bizzare old Corsa that must have been made from an assortment of whatever parts were in the bottom of the builders bin. Components were not even the same brand, let alone group; some expensive, and some bargain parts. It even had all natural color Pirelli tires. Not just the sidewalls, but the tread, too. But it went thousands of miles without a hickup.
Other than the Marathons and Brooks saddle, about the only thing else I plan to change is possibly going to a Nitto Mustache bar, like I almost did when it was new (from the X0-1.) If I do, then I'll definitely go with the wider B-67.
The trick is going to be keeping at it. Seems all my hobbies are outdoor summer hobbies, and all conflict. I've got three scooters and an old MG for exactly the same sort of weather that I'd be biking. And a sailboat, but I haven't used it for even longer than the bike! What's the saying? Too many toys, and not enough time. I need to retire!
Well, that's about it. If you are in the area, and see a chubby dude on a dark green RB-T going about 7 MPH, toss me a beer! :D
Steve